Rev. Danny Fisher

Just a Buddhist Minister Trying to Benefit Beings
June 8, 2009

Time Magazine on the Osel Hita Torres Flap

Time Magazine‘s David Van Biema reflects on the recent interview Spanish interview with Osel Hita Torres, the Guardian‘s coverage of that interview, and Torres’ subsequent statement.

Formerly known as Lama Tenzin Osel Rinpoche, Torres is the young man who was identified as the reincarnation of Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition founder Lama Thubten Yeshe. His story is recorded in Vicki Mackenzie’s popular book Reincarnation: The Boy Lama.

For past posts on all of this, follow this link.

[Image via Time Magazine.]

2 comments
June 8, 2009

Tibet News (6.8.09)

“The Karmapa, left, of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is seen as a possible interim communal leader after the death of the Dalai Lama, right.” Photo by Shiho Fukada for the New York Times.
Here’s the latest Tibet-related news:

  • The New York Times reports on how “both the Chinese and the Tibetan exiles are bracing for an almost inevitable outcome: the emergence into the world of dueling Dalai Lamas — one chosen by the exiles, perhaps by the 14th Dalai Lama himself, and the other by Chinese officials.”
  • The Times also offers a lengthy report on the independent group of prominent Chinese lawyers and legal scholars who have “released a research report arguing that the Tibetan riots and protests of March 2008 were rooted in legitimate grievances brought about by failed government policies — and not through a plot of the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.”
  • In addition, the Times profiles documentary filmmaker Nati Baratz, director of Unmistaken Child, a new film about a Tibetan monk searching for his master’s rebirth.
  • The Times‘ editors and others also reflect on “how the Chinese government’s response to dissent has changed in the past two decades.”
  • The Agence France-Presse reports on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s tribute to those killed in the Tiananmen Square crackdown and his urging the international community to “make an independent assessment of the situation in [Tibet] and put pressure on China to end the ‘oppression’.”
  • TibetCustom has a copy of a report submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Religion or Belief on the “factors and circumstances leading to the occurrences and increase of suicides by Tibetan monks and nuns in Chinese occupied Tibet since 10 March 2008.”
  • Lastly, on a lighter note, Miss Tibet 2009 has been selected.

    • 1 comment
    June 8, 2009

    "The Hindu Chaplain"

    Our friend Lt. Jeanette Shin, CHC, USN, over at Buddhist Military Sangha points us to a terrific piece at Hinduism Today by Swami Sarvaananda, who is currently the only Hindu chaplain board certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). Take a look.

    June 8, 2009

    A Tribute to Michael of One Foot in Front of the Other

    Image via One Foot in Front of the Other.
    News regarding our late friend in the Buddhoblogosphere, Michael of One Foot in Front of the Other, comes to us all via his family:

      In the summer of 2007, Michael was thrilled to be accepted as a member of the Soho Photo Gallery. He had planned to have an exhibit in the autumn of that year, but his illness made it impossible. We are happy to bring his plans to fruition. His show, East Village Portraits, will be on view at the gallery through July 4.

      Gallery hours are Wednesday thru Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Soho Photo is located at 15 White Street, New York, NY. That is 3 blocks south of Canal Street, between 6th Avenue and West Broadway. The gallery is close to several subway stops: the #1 line to Franklin Street or the A, C, E, N, R or #6 lines to Canal Street.

    June 8, 2009

    Donate to the Prison Dharma Network This Year–It Will Be Matched 100%

    This via MahaSangha News:

      Dear Friend,

      We have received a generous matching grant that will help launch our next 20 years of providing service, programs, teachings, resources and community to prisoners and prison dharma volunteers.

      We are requesting your help!

      We are requesting a donation of $10 (or more) from you at this time. All donations we receive in 2009 will be matched 100% by the matching grant provider and will allow us to provide transformational tools to thousands of prisoners.

      Your generosity is very much appreciated by us and all of the prisoners who will benefit from your kindness. Please help us celebrate 20 years of supporting transformation for prisoners and launch the next 20 years.

      Statements of support:

      From Ani Pema Chodron: “I have been honored to serve as a spiritual advisor to the Prison Dharma Network since its founding and fully endorse the work they continue to accomplish. Through my own experience with prisoners, I have directly witnessed the transformative potential of prison meditation programs. Please support Prison Dharma Network in any way you can.”

      From Thrangu Rinpoche: “I am delighted to hear that the Prison Dharma Network is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. The work that the Network has done on behalf of prisoners is wonderful. The Dharma is a way to help free sentient beings from suffering, and so bringing it to those who are experiencing the suffering of imprisonment is especially beneficial. In the short term it helps them quiet their minds, reduce the disturbances of the afflictions, and find peace, and in the long run it will bring them to lasting happiness. This is a tremendous service to them and all other beings as well. I hope that the Prison Dharma Network can continue to provide such beneficial service for many years to come.”

      Donate Now By Clicking Here . . .or send a check to PDN, PO Box 4623 Boulder, CO 80306

      Prison Dharma Network
      http://www.prisondharmanetwork.org

      PDN Community Site:
      http://www.prisondharmanetwork.net

      Sincerely,

      Sensei Fleet Maull
      PDN Founder/Chair